Tribute to a legendary Peterite sportsman – Anton Perera

The 80th Josephian-Peterite encounter started at the Colombo Oval on Friday. A time for the Joes and Peterites to revel and enjoy the sport and the camaraderie that is associated with this great sporting event. The ‘Battle of the Saints’ was inaugurated in 1933, and has produced many a legend that went on to play nationally. Names that come to mind are Clive Inman, H.I.K. Fernando, David Heyn, Roy Dias, Vinodhan John, Tony Opatha, Russell Arnold, Rumesh Ratnayaka, Amal Silva, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, and Angelo Perera for the Peterites and Chaminda Vaas, Ashley de Silva, Ajith Weerakkody, Michael Van Dort, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thisara Perera and our current Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews for the Josephians. These stars have gone that extra bit and crowned themselves with glory to represent our great nation in cricket. Congratulations to all.

There are hordes of other talented cricketers who represented their Alma Mater over the years, but never made it to the national team due to numerous reasons. Talent was never in question for these players, but it was a question of timing – after all, only eleven can play in a team. Space does not permit me to name these players as this article is dedicated to a superstar who sadly passed away last month. Anton Perera played for St. Peter’s College from 1957-1960, both years included.

Anton Perera was a household name in the late fifties and early sixties. An intensely talented all-round sportsman, Anton broke into the limelight in 1957, as an athlete and cricketer. He was only 15 years old at the time. Anton was a legend at St. Peter’s College. He was one of the most celebrated sports icons who left an indelible mark on the Peterite landscape as a talented athlete, exceptional cricketer who also played rugby until his coach Jackie van Twest advised him not to play as it would hurt his athletics. Anton was also a good Tennis player and I am not quite sure if he represented college, at the Public Schools Championships. His father was a Tennis player of national repute.

Blessed with a strong physique – Anton captained the Under-16 athletics team of his Alma Mater to win the Junior Tarbat Trophy at the All-Island Schools Athletic Championships. He was a Public School champion in the Discus, Javelin and Putt Shot. He also performed well in the 100 metres and did the sprint relays. This was a time the Peterites had a crack athletic team. He captained the Junior Athletics Team in 1957 which went on to win the Junior Tarbat at the Public Schools Championships. Desmond Moraes, Rontjen Perera and Linus Jayawardane (since departed) were the other members of the team. Some names of Peterite athletes during his time that come to mind are Ranjit Wijeyesekere, Ranjit Weerasena, David Van Dort, Errol de Silva, brothers Andrew & Godfrey Goonetilleke, Rontjen Perera, Neville Salvador, E.L. Fernando, N.B. Wilson, Didacus de Almeida, Roger Wright, Kevin Ruberu, Vinitha Rakajaruna, Elmo Perera, Carlyle Rudolph, Ranjith Alwis, brothers Winston & Stafford Tambimuttu, and a host of others of repute who later joined Ace Athletic Club or CT & FC.

But it was Cricket that Anton was best known for. His baptism into the First XI was in 1957, at the age of 15 – under the captaincy of Jayantha Fernando. In the big match, Anton clean bowled opener Claude Perera and then took out two prolific Josephian batsmen Priya Perera and Tissa de Soysa. He had match figures of 3 for 69 in his first big match that was drawn. St. Peter`s were captained by Russel Duckworth in 1958, Brian Seneviratne in 1959, and Premasiri Athukorale in 1960. I cannot remember which year, but Anton caused a sensation at the SPC Vs. Ananda game. He took 8 wickets for 21 and at least six Ananda players were injured. Following year, the Peterites had a rough time at Campbell Place when they met Ananda. I believe Police were at hand to ensure no brawls took place. During this time, he was rated the fastest Schoolboy bowler in Ceylon with Ananda`s Sonny Yatawara coming a close second. Anton’s opening partners were Maurice Deckker (1960), Desmond Dharmaraja (1958 & 1959) and Anton Paulpillai (1957). Anton best partnered with Maurice Deckker when the Peterites had the most fiery opening bowling attack at the time in school cricket.

Cricket at St. Peter`s enjoyed a great period in the 50s and 60s – there was a galaxy of stars who represented the school by the canal. Anton`s team mates who played alongside him are David Muthumani, Nihal Wijesena, Darrel De Silva, Jayantha Fernando, Brian Seneviratne, Russel Duckworth, Lakshman Serasinghe, Premasiri Athukorale, Christy Marthalingam, Anton Paulpillai, Randy Layman, Adiel Anghie, Desmond Dharmaraja, Elmo Gunasekara, Richard Alles, Mark de Silva, Richard Heyn, Tyrone Le Mercier, Maurice Deckker, and Didacus de Almeida.

Anton played Club Cricket briefly for SSC whilst in school and would have certainly played for All-Ceylon had he not left for California in 1962 at the age of 20. He lived in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California with his wife Marlene and their three children. He was involved in developing and promoting cricket in Southern California in the sixties and played locally with Dr. Tony Don Michael (another Peterite), Thomian Dr. M.L. Idroos (STC), Dr. C. Balakrishnan (Jaffna Hindu), and a host of other players who made California their home in the post-sixties.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years – Marlene, son Yohan (Joey) and two daughters Sharlene and Sheryl and eight grandchildren. A memorial service for the repose of his soul was held on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at St. Bernadine’s Church in Woodland Hills, California. The service, from all accounts was a celebration of the life and times of a great sportsman – Anton Perera!

A quote from Abraham Lincoln: "And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, It’s the life in your years." Anton enjoyed a lot of life in his years. He was a good family man, an exceptional human being, loyal to his multitude of friends and a very good Catholic to his dying days.

At 6’2” in height, weighing over 220 pounds and running in to bowl at a speed which was good enough to earn a place for him in the 200 metres at the Junior Athletics Nationals was a frightening sight for any batsman let alone a school boy batsman sans helmet, chest guards, arm guards or thigh guards and only pads and the proverbial cricketing ‘fig leaf’ to protect himself.

As a school boy Anton Perera at his best bowled at speeds close to 140 kph with the ability to get a good length ball to bounce sharply and crash into the batsman’s chin.

His bowling was legendary and he was probably the best pace bowling prospect Sri Lanka had at that time in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and as a close follower of the game, I feel, the best ever pace (as against fast medium) bowling prospect Sri Lanka has produced. Denis Lillie style he believed fitness and stamina to be an important part of a pace bowlers arsenal and practiced accordingly.

Space will not permit me to document all his bowling fetes, but his epic 7 for 11 against S.Thomas’ Mount Lavinia reducing the Thomians to a total of 39 for 9 at end of play needs to be mentioned. Those who witnessed Anton’s bowling that day were a privileged lot.

By: Rontjen Perera School-mate, team-mate and friend.

His formidable skills at cricket may have brought him glamour and fame but athletics was his forte. A sprinter and a “Pentathlete” in his early teens, Anton moved on to field events later specialising in the throws, putt, javelin and the discuss winning the Public Schools Championship in the putt and javelin many times. He represented the ‘Ceylon’ Schools Athletics Team which toured Australia in the late 1950’s. His crowning moment in athletics was as a junior when he led the St. Peter’s College Junior Athletic team to victory and the Junior Tarbet at the Public Schools Athletics Championship in 1957. No Peterite Junior team has done this again.

Anton died on February 21 at West Hills Hospital, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, USA. He was 72.

When an iconic sports personality of Anton’s stature passes away it is natural to focus on such a person’s achievements on the field. To his family and close friends what he displayed in life later was far more notable.

I was also an early recipient of his gentle touch. We both were junior athletes practicing hard for the Pubs, ending practice each day at 6.30 p.m. and I had to travel down South reaching home each day well after 8 p.m. Anton realising this was a humanly impossible task obtained his parents’ permission and invited me to stay with him, which I did for almost two years. Living under the same roof I realised that Anton’s story did not begin with him being selected to play for the 1st Eleven Cricket team at the age of 14 or his sterling performances as an athlete at the same age. It began when he was a toddler. I wondered why his mother always referred to him as the ‘miracle boy’ and one day I gathered sufficient courage to ask her why, ‘Miracle Boy’?

Her heart rending story was one of remarkable faith and devotion, a story which is common knowledge today, yet worth repeating. As a child Anton had been diagnosed with a serious disability with a final prognosis that Anton will never be able to walk. The only hope she said was prayer and pray they did for a long period of time until one fine day on a pilgrimage to a Catholic Shrine in Southern India whilst performing the ‘Way of the Cross’ uphill, Anton who was wearing braces on one leg and dragging himself along had suddenly started to run uphill. We all know that Anton never stopped running thereafter.

Anton was the product of beautiful and enlightened parenting where religion was not overbearingly present yet practiced in a highly devout manner and where a culture of humility and respect for fellow human beings irrespective of their place or position in life prevailed. The goodness that emanated from that house was also my good fortune to experience. It was therefore not surprising for me to understand how and from where he had inherited such caring ways, being a devoted father, loving husband and a true friend. He was a devout Catholic to his last day.

He shared his saddest moments when tragedy struck in the cruelest form with his closest friends too just the way he reveled in the remarkable achievements of his children, specially when his son Joey, who continued the sporting traditions of the family albeit on softer terrain as a world class swimmer who missed out on selection to the US Olympic swimming team by just a fraction of a second. Later when Joey gained admission to West Point and was Commissioned an Officer in the US Army and had the honour of being sent to Sri Lanka with a US Military delegation, Anton was on cloud 9.

Time spent with Anton was always joyous and light hearted because there was no intrigue, no jealousy, no envy or anger in him. Anton is survived by Marlene his wife of over 50 years, son Joey, daughters Charlene and Cheryl and sister Laurel . To all of them and eight grandchildren, my wife Rani and I extend our condolences.

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Family and friends have organised a Thanksgiving Mass for the Life of Anton Perera – Peterite sportsman who passed away in a Los Angeles Hospital on February 20, 2014. It will be held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at St. Peter's College Chapel, Bambalapitiya. The presence of friends and family at the Mass will be appreciated. Please see details in the link below.

The 80th Josephian-Peterite encounter started at the Colombo Oval on Friday. A time for the Joes and Peterites to revel and enjoy the sport and the camaraderie that is associated with this great sporting event. The ‘Battle of the Saints’ was inaugurated in 1933, and has produced many a legend that went on to play nationally.

There are hordes of other talented cricketers who represented their Alma Mater over the years, but never made it to the national team due to numerous reasons. Talent was never in question for these players, but it was a question of timing – after all, only eleven can play in a team. Space does not permit me to name these players as this article is dedicated to a superstar who sadly passed away last month. Anton Perera played for St. Peter’s College from 1957-1960, both years included.

Anton Perera was a household name in the late fifties and early sixties. An intensely talented all-round sportsman, Anton broke into the limelight in 1957, as an athlete and cricketer. He was only 15 years old at the time. Anton was a legend at St. Peter’s College. He was one of the most celebrated sports icons who left an indelible mark on the Peterite landscape as a talented athlete, exceptional cricketer who also played rugby until his coach Jackie van Twest advised him not to play as it would hurt his athletics. Anton was also a good Tennis player and I am not quite sure if he represented college, at the Public Schools Championships. His father was a Tennis player of national repute.

Blessed with a strong physique – Anton captained the Under-16 athletics team of his Alma Mater to win the Junior Tarbat Trophy at the All-Island Schools Athletic Championships. He was a Public School champion in the Discus, Javelin and Putt Shot. He also performed well in the 100 metres and did the sprint relays. This was a time the Peterites had a crack athletic team. He captained the Junior Athletics Team in 1957 which went on to win the Junior Tarbat at the Public Schools Championships. Desmond Moraes, Rontjen Perera and Linus Jayawardane (since departed) were the other members of the team.

But it was Cricket that Anton was best known. His baptism into the First XI was in 1957, at the age of 15 – under the captaincy of Jayantha Fernando. In the big match, Anton clean bowled opener Claude Perera and then took out two prolific Josephian batsmen Priya Perera and Tissa de Soysa. He had match figures of 3 for 69 in his first big match that was drawn. St. Peter`s were captained by Russel Duckworth in 1958, Brian Seneviratne in 1959, and Premasiri Athukorale in 1960. I cannot remember which year, but Anton caused a sensation at the SPC Vs. Ananda game. He took 8 wickets for 21 and at least six Ananda players were injured. Following year, the Peterites had a rough time at Campbell Place when they met Ananda. I believe Police were at hand to ensure no brawls took place. During this time, he was rated the fastest Schoolboy bowler in Ceylon with Ananda`s Sonny Yatawara coming a close second.

Anton’s opening partners were Maurice Deckker (1960), Desmond Dharmaraja (1958 & 1959) and Anton Paulpillai (1957). Anton best partnered with Maurice Deckker when the Peterites had the most fiery opening bowling attack at the time in school cricket. Cricket at St. Peter`s enjoyed a great period in the 50s and 60s – there was a galaxy of stars who represented the school by the canal. Anton`s team mates who played alongside him are David Muthumani, Nihal Wijesena, Darrel De Silva, Jayantha Fernando, Brian Seneviratne, Russel Duckworth, Lakshman Serasinghe, Premasiri Athukorale, Christy Marthalingam, Anton Paulpillai, Randy Layman, Adiel Anghie, Desmond Dharmaraja, Elmo Gunasekara, Richard Alles, Mark de Silva, Richard Heyn, Tyrone Le Mercier, Maurice Deckker, and Didacus de Almeida.

Anton played Club Cricket briefly for SSC whilst in school and would have certainly played for All-Ceylon had he not left for California in 1962 at the age of 20. He lived in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California with his wife Marlene and their three children. He was involved in developing and promoting cricket in Southern California in the sixties and played locally with Dr. Tony Don Michael (another Peterite), Thomian Dr. M.L. Idroos (STC), Dr. C. Balakrishnan (Jaffna Hindu), and a host of other players who made California their home in the post-sixties.

Anton passed away in a Los Angeles Hospital on February 20th, from medical complications. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years – Marlene, son Yohan (Joey) and two daughters Sharlene and Sheryl and eight grandchildren. A memorial service for the repose of his soul was held on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at St. Bernadine’s Church in Woodland Hills, California. The service, from all accounts was a celebration of the life and times of a great sportsman – Anton Perera!

A quote from Abraham Lincoln: "And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, It’s the life in your years." In this context, Anton enjoyed a lot of life in his years. He was a good family man, an exceptional human being, loyal to his multitude of friends and a very good Catholic to his dying days.

A Memorial Service for the repose of the soul of ANTON PERERA will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 11 am at St. Bernadine Catholic Church in Woodland Hills.

St Bernardine Catholic Church

24410 Calvert Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

The service is a celebration of the life and times of one of the most talented sports stars of yesteryear who made history at his Alma Mater – St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya. In life, Anton led a meaningful life – surrounded by his loving family, close friends and relatives.

He was a legend at St. Peter's in the 50s and 60s and his schoolmates still remember the burly, well-built strapper of a cricketer rip through the batting line-up of many a school side. He had match figures of 7 for 11 against the mighty Thomians and had them reeling – 39 for 9, just staving off defeat. He had figures of 8 for 21 against Ananda College at Bambalapitiya. The feats go on. It was a treat for us to see Anton walk into the field to bat – the eager spectators were certain that he would lift any bowler of repute right out of the grounds. And he did. He dicatated with bat and ball.

By: Upali Obeyesekere – President, JPAA Canada

Anton was the cynosure of all eyes as a young schoolboy of 15 years when he had his baptism into the strong St. Peter's College Cricket XI captained by Jayantha Fernando, in 1957. He had a phenomenal year and never looked back. He was rated the fastest schoolboy bowler of his time and would have played for Ceylon, for sure – had it not been for the fact he left his homeland and journeyed across the seas to Southern California in 1962, in search of greener pastures. He was an equally brilliant athlete (Putt Shot, Discuss, 100M, Long Jump and Relays). He also played Rugby and Tennis for his Alma Mater. A true Peterite right to the end!

Anton was a tremendous source of inspiration and strength to the Peterites in California who looked up to him for friendship and advocacy. He was a generous human being, loving family man, loyal friend and above all a good Catholic to his dying day.

Oprah Winfrey once said, ""Lots of friends want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down". In translation, I know that someone was Anton. He always stood by his close friends.

This picture was taken in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2004, at the 70th Josephian-Peterite match played at the Oval. Four great Peterite cricketers – three of whom live abroad enjoy the day's play reminiscing the grand ole days when they themselves held sway and walked on the same grounds playing for their Alma Mater in what is popularly known as, the "Battle of the Saints".

On extreme left is Richard (Dickie) Alles who played for St. Peter's College in 1959, 1960 and 1961. Behind him is Gary von Bergheim, an old Peterite living now in Australia. To his right is David Heyn, who captained SPC in 1964 and to his right is Travis Fernando, another Peterite captain in 1965. On the extreme right in a red checked shirt is none other than Anton Perera – rated the fastest schoolboy bowler who donned the college blazer from 1957-1960 (both years inclusive).

"We are indebted to the sender of this memorable picture that is worth a million words. However, to put things into perspective, please see brief notes on each of the subjects in the image," says Upali Obeyesekere – President, JPAA Canada.

DAVID HEYN – 2nd son of General B.R. Heyn (former Army Commander) and wife Edna – captained St. Peter's College in 1964 while his older brother Richard captained SPC in 1962. Peter David Heyn is a former Ceylon/Sri Lankan cricketer who played 18 unofficial tests from 1966 to 1976, and two ODIs in the World Cup 1975. David is widely regarded as one of the best cover point fielders ever to represent Sri Lanka. David began his cricket career at St Peter's College in Colombo, where he represented the school from 1961 to 1964, captaining in 1964. He also represented Colombo Schools against the Indian Schoolboys in that same year.

He represented the Burgher Recreation Club whilst in school, and played there until the 1969/70 season. He then played for the Nondescripts Cricket Club from 1970/71 until 1975/76, captaining in the 1974/75 season.

His first-class debut was in 1964, playing 50 matches in total and compiling four hundreds (the highest being 136 against Indian Universities at Bangalore in December 1975). Note – at the time only Ceylon/Sri Lanka matches against foreign sides were classified as first-class.

As Sri Lanka were unlikely to attain full test status at the time, Heyn emigrated to England in 1976. Here he played for Richmond Cricket Club in the Middlesex County Cricket League until 1983, captaining in 1979 and 1980. In 1979 he set a batting record with 5 hundreds in the league season.

In 1981 he played 4 games for Berkshire in the Minor Counties Championship – unfortunately, further appearances were not possible due to work & family commitments.

In 1984 he retired completely from the game at the age of 39, having played a season for Lensbury Cricket club.

David lives in London, England but visits Sri Lanka on and oft. He plans on visiting his home country next month and will be an interested spectator at the 80th Joe-Pete Cricket Encounter at the Oval.

TRAVIS FERNANDOplayed for St. Peter's from 1961 – 1965. He captained in 1965, and led the Peterites to a six wicket victory in 1965, after a lapse of 10 years. Lawrence Heyn (David & Richard's cousin who lives "down under") has this to say about 1965. "Cricket, to me, took on a magical quality in 1965. It was the last time the big match was played at Bambalapitiya and skipper Travis Fernando signed off in style. The left-armer mesmerised the Joes with his spin and then opener Darrel Wimalaratne led a dashing chase of a victory target of 94 runs in 50 minutes. The first ball Wimalaratne faced was hooked for six, with the ball landing in the pavilion’s upper level among the feet of the dignitaries." Travis lives in Colombo and heads a large tea exporting company. He contributes much of his spare time to his Alma Mater and keeps in touch with the overseas branches as well.

ANTON PERERA passed away just last week on February 20, 2014, in Los Angeles from complications arising of a medical condition. He was 72 at the time of his death. Please see other posts on this website for tributes to Anton and details of his memorial service that is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Southern California.

RICHARD ALLES – Richard (Dickie) Alles passed away in November 2008, in Australia. Richard was a straight bat and played for his school in 1959, 1960 and 1961. His opening partner in 1959 was Mark de Silva and the pair gave the Peterites a good start making 61 for the 1st wicket. Richard scored 38. In 1960, he scored 31 going in at No.3 and in 1961 he opened with Sam Rajah and made 39.

Richard Alles passes away

Elmo Rodrigopulle – former Benedictine cricketer has this to say in a Daily News article of November 28, 2008.

"Dickie" as he was popularly known, played in the sixties for his school and shone as a steady opening batsman. He was also a competent wicket keeper.

He was not a flashy opener in the Gordon Greenidge or Cammie Smith mould, but was very correct always offering a straight bat and many were the good scores he made for his team. He was a stubborn batsman and would not throw away his wicket.

During his school career he played in the company of Desmond Dharmaraja, Anton Perera, Adiel Anghie, Brian Seneviratne, Randolph Layman, Tyronne Le Mercier, Richard Heyn, Didacus de Almedia, Aditha de Silva and Sam Rajah whose names come to mind.

On leaving school he sported Colts CC colours and played in many a match winning team. He had many good score during his tenure with the club.

Brian de Silva an excellent opening bat and stumper from the Bambalapitiya school in the fifties and who was a team mate of Dickie at the Colts described him thus: 'He was a steady opening batsman, more of a back foot player and more than forcing the ball, he would caress it to the open spots on the field to gather his runs.

'Above all he was an excellent team man and was a fine raconteur and he would have his team mates laughing their sides out with his rib-tickling stories, said Brian who himself was a scream at the Colts and of whom Nomis the curator of that time when de Silva was behind the stumps for SPC would relate stories that defies print. We were opponents, Dickie for SPC me for SBC and the friendship we formed while playing for our respective schools continued at the Colts and the Mercantile CA until he bid adieu and left for Australia seeking pastures new.

I met him on one of my tours to Australia while covering the Sri Lanka cricket team's tour and did we not recall those old times and reminisce.

May the turf that Richard walked so honourably lie softly on him. (E.R.)

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News has just reached us of the passing of ANTON PERERA – a legend of the late fifties and early sixties. Anton was in a coma for the last 2-3 weeks in a Los Angeles Hospital, arising from a complicated medical condition. Sadly, he passed away this morning (Feb.20th) in hospital surrounded by his beloved wife Marlene, only son Yohan (Joey) and daughters Sharlene and Sheryl . Anton has lived in Southern California since 1962, one of the early settlers to the U.S. from Sri Lanka.

Anton Perera was a celebrated Peterite sports icon.

Anthony V. Perera, fondly known as "Anton" was a legend at St. Peter's College. He was one of the most celebrated sports icons who left an indelible mark on the Peterite landscape. . He was a prolific athlete, exceptional cricketer and also played rugby until his coach Jackie Van Twest advised him not to play as it would hurt his athletics. Anton was also a good Tennis player and I am not quite sure if he played for college, at the Public Schools Championships. His father was a Tennis player of national repute.

In athletics, Anton was a Publics School champion in the Discuss, Javelin and Putt Shot. He did the 100M, Long Jump and the sprint relays as well. This was a time the Peterites had a crack athletics team. He captained the Junior Athletics Team in 1957 which went on to win the Junior Tarbat at the Public Schools Championships in 1957. Other athletes in this team were Desmond Moraes, Rontjen Perera and Linus Jayawardane (since departed). Some other names of prominent Peterite athletes during his time that come to mind are Ranjit Wijeyesekere, Ranjit Weerasena, Felix Shockman, David Van Dort, Errol de Silva, brothers Andrew & Godfrey Goonetilleke, Rontjen Perera, E.L. Fernando, N.B. Wilson, Didacus de Almeida, Roger Wright, Kevin Ruberu, Vinitha Rakajaruna, Neville Salvador, Elmo Perera, Carlyle Rudolph, Ranjith Alwis, brothers Winston & Stafford Tambimuttu, and a host of others of repute who later went on to join Ace Athletic Club or CT & FC.

Anton dabbled with Rugby and played for college as a wing three-quarter – much to the displeasure of Jackie Van Twest (Athletics Coach).

But it was Cricket that Anton was best known. His baptism into the First XI was in 1957, at the age of 15 – under the captaincy of Jayantha Fernando. In the big match, Anton clean bowled opener Claude Perera and then took out two prolific Josephian batsmen Priya Perera and Tissa de Soysa. He had match figures of 3 for 69 in his first big match that was drawn. Anton played from 1957 to 1960, both years included. St. Peter`s were captained by Russel Duckworth in 1958, Brian Seneviratne in 1959, and Premasiri Athukorale in 1960. I cannot remember which year, but Anton caused a sensation at the SPC V. Ananda game one year. He took 8 wickets for 21 and at least six Ananda players were injured. At this time, he was rated the fastest Schoolboy bowler in Ceylon with Ananda`s Sonny Yatawara a close second.

Anton's opening partners were Maurice Deckker (1960), Desmond Dharmaraja (1958 & 1959) and Anton Paulpillai (1957). Anton best partnered with Maurice Deckker when the Peterites had the most fiery opening bowling attack at the time in school cricket.

Cricket at St. Peter`s enjoyed a great period in the 50s and 60s – there was a galaxy of stars who played for college. Anton`s team mates who played alongside him in the four years are shown below:

Anton played Club Cricket for SSC whilst in school. He left for the USA in 1962, at age 20, and lived in Southern California with his wife Marlene (Primary School Teacher at college) and their three children. He was involved in developing and promoting cricket in Southern California in the sixties and played locally with Dr. Tony Don Michael (another Peterite), M.L. Idroos (STC), Dr. C. Balakrishnan (Jaffna Hindu), and a host of other players who made California their home in the post-sixties.

Nihal Perera, a Peterite of my vintage who now lives in the U.S. has sent in this comment. “Very sad to hear he is no more. Still remember him almost skittling out St. Thomas' in their 2nd innings ending at 39/9 (St.Peter's almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they say) and he ended up with 7 for 11. Fr. Arthur Fernando called him on to the stage on the Monday after & presented him with a pair of boot laces (since he had constant issues with the laces coming undone during his Herculean effort). Man with a big heart.“

A Peterite colleague of Anton's – Kevin Ruberu (domiciled in Australia) says, "Anton was one of the best sportsman that we ever had. He was on top of his cricket and athletics. In athletics, he was a superb all-rounder (shot putt, javelin, long jump, 100 m sprint – he excelled at); I think he also played some tennis and rugby (not encouraged by Jackie Van Twest of course).“

Anton visited Sri Lanka often and had many friends all over the world. He was one of the most popular sportsman to emerge from St. Peter`s College. One distinct character trait that stood by Anton throughout his life is that he had a mind of his own. Most times, he was right in his convictions. He would call a spade, a spade and there was no “beating round the bush“ with him. With Anton, it was a case of `what you see is what you get`. He was a good family man, a good human being, loyal to his multitude of friends and a very good Catholic to his dying days.

Marlene was the love of his life, and they were married for just over 50 years. He worked at 3-M for most of his life in Los Angeles and stayed in the Canoga Park area of Southern California. He leaves behind his beloved wife Marlene, and three children Yohan (Joey), Charlene and Cheryl.

May his Soul Rest in Peace!

By Upali Obeyesekere – President, JPAA Canada with assistance from Rontjen Perera (California) – a close friend of Anton's.